King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, [if] the rising of the sore [be] white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the cohen is to examine him; if he sees that there is a reddish-white swelling on his bald scalp or forehead, appearing like tzara'at on the rest of the body,
Berean Standard Bible:
The priest is to examine him, and if the swelling of the infection on his bald head or forehead is reddish-white like a skin disease,
American Standard Version:
Then the priest shall look upon him; and, behold, if the rising of the plague be reddish-white in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the appearance of leprosy in the skin of the flesh;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then the priest{H3548} shall look{H7200} upon it: and, behold, if the rising{H7613} of the sore{H5061} be white{H3836} reddish{H125} in his bald head{H7146}, or in his bald forehead{H1372}, as the leprosy{H6883} appeareth{H4758} in the skin{H5785} of the flesh{H1320};
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Leviticus 13:43
1. **Themes of Leviticus 13:43**:
- **Ritual Purity and Holiness**: Leviticus emphasizes the importance of ritual purity among the Israelites, particularly regarding skin diseases like leprosy, which were considered ritually unclean.
- **Role of Priests**: The verse underscores the priest's role in diagnosing skin conditions to determine whether they are ritually clean or unclean, thereby controlling the spread of disease and maintaining the community's purity.
- **Health and Community Welfare**: The detailed examination of skin sores reflects a concern for the health of the community, as diseases like leprosy could spread easily.
- **Isolation**: The implication is that if the sore is consistent with leprosy, the individual would be isolated from the community to prevent the spread of the disease.
2. **Historical Context**:
- **Time Period**: The book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, specifically during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt (c. 1440–1400 BCE).
- **Social Structure**: The Israelite society was organized around tribal and priestly hierarchies, with priests (Levites) having specific religious and civic duties, including the inspection of skin diseases.
- **Ceremonial Laws**: The laws concerning leprosy and other ritual impurities were part of a broader system of ceremonial laws designed to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation dedicated to God.
- **Cultural Perceptions**: Leprosy was feared and carried significant social stigma, leading to the ostracism of those afflicted. The detailed descriptions in Leviticus served as a guide for priests to distinguish between various skin conditions and determine the status of an individual's ritual purity.
In summary, Leviticus 13:43 reflects the themes of ritual purity, the importance of priestly authority, and community health in ancient Israelite society. It is part of a larger body of ceremonial laws that governed the daily lives of the Israelites, emphasizing their distinct identity and relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H7613
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂאֵת
Transliteration: sᵉʼêth
Pronunciation: seh-ayth'
Description: from נָשָׂא; an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character; be accepted, dignity, excellency, highness, raise up self, rising. - Strong's Number: H5061
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶגַע
Transliteration: negaʻ
Pronunciation: neh'-gah
Description: from נָגַע; a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress); plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound. - Strong's Number: H3836
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָבָן
Transliteration: lâbân
Pronunciation: law-bawn'
Description: or (Genesis 49:12) לָבֵן; from לָבַן; white; white. - Strong's Number: H125
There are 110 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲדַמְדָּם
Transliteration: ʼădamdâm
Pronunciation: ad-am-dawm'
Description: reduplicated from אָדַם; reddish; (somewhat) reddish. - Strong's Number: H7146
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרַחַת
Transliteration: qârachath
Pronunciation: kaw-rakh'-ath
Description: from קָרַח; a bald spot (on the back of the head); figuratively, a threadbare spot (on the back side of the cloth); bald head, bare within. - Strong's Number: H1372
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גַּבַּחַת
Transliteration: gabbachath
Pronunciation: gab-bakh'-ath
Description: from the same as גִּבֵּחַ; baldness in the forehead; by analogy, a bare spot on the right side of cloth; bald forehead, [idiom] without. - Strong's Number: H6883
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָרַעַת
Transliteration: tsâraʻath
Pronunciation: tsaw-rah'-ath
Description: from צָרַע; leprosy; leprosy. - Strong's Number: H4758
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַרְאֶה
Transliteration: marʼeh
Pronunciation: mar-eh'
Description: from רָאָה; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision; [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision. - Strong's Number: H5785
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹר
Transliteration: ʻôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: from עוּר; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather; hide, leather, skin. - Strong's Number: H1320
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּשָׂר
Transliteration: bâsâr
Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.